The final tally was a smidge over 100 people which included the staff and volunteers, but mostly the pilgrims on the annual Cedar Creek-Gildersleeve Mine tour Saturday, Sept. 6.

Three school buses had been dispatched from Superior School but one was returned when everyone fit into two and a couple of people elected to drive their personal vehicles for a day of history, music, food and even gold panning. 

“The tour was great, lots of information and very pleasant weather. It was very nice to be greeted by music and a wonderful potluck lunch! The tour committee did a wonderful job,” beamed Peggy Temple, President of the Mineral County Museum and Historical Society.

The first of 6 stops was the Amador townsite which was almost opposite Mineral Community Hospital on I-90 at the start of the Cedar Creek Road. “I gave an overview explaining why the tour and why Cedar Creek with its historical significance to Montana,” said Debra Regan, “I also gave overview of the MCMHS's interpretive sign project with plans for 7 more signs and a welcome kiosk near where we stood. After that Kay (Strombo) spoke on Amador townsite, and Jim Goss followed with the Amador railway and smelter.” 

Each stop either on or off the bus had photo displays that Becky Magone carried along with information from tour guides and for the sake of time, the convoy continued through some areas but information was shared with the passengers.

Stories and history as the buses went through Twin Bridges, Bear Gulch, Cedar Junction and then everyone off at Cayuse, which like most places are overgrown with saplings but the tour guides might know of a remnant to show. Such was the case at Louisville and China Gulch where the Chinese cooking ovens could be visited along a trail system of where their encampments were. Forest City, Mayville, Montreal Gulch, Lacasse Pit, Slum Dam and California Gulch were all part of the tour with visual aids and knowledgeable guides who make this annual event extremely memorable. 

“Tom Castles, Jim Goss, and I offered much about the history and pointed out points of interest from the bus,” Regan shared.

This annual pilgrimage is free of charge with a request to bring something to share at the potluck at the destination point which was the Gildersleeve mine. Upon arriving, everyone stretched their legs and took tours of the mining equipment and homestead where Sue McLees grew up and still retains ownership of the site. Gold panning from dirt dug from one of the mine shafts was available as people enjoyed the chow along with music provided by Mike Stepan and vocals from McLees.

Ginny Tubbs had a display of what a grubstake consisted of for a miner who was looking for his fortune. She also told the story of how 2 miners discovered gold in Cedar Creek and then one of them spilled their secret at a bar in Frenchtown which kicked off the stampede looking to get rich in 1869. More history, stories and laughter for the afternoon before a departure back to the starting point at the museum. 

“A wonderful day with a case study on how to transport over 100 chairs, tables, and canopies up 16 miles on a dirt road, never mind all the food procurement, prep, and consumption!” grinned Goss. Consider it another successful day of reliving the history of last major Montana gold rush.

    At the Cayuse stop where an interpretive sign is located, Jim Goss explains why this was such a critical location in Cedar Creek during the gold rush. (Picture by Dan Hollenback)
  

    The basics of what a miner packed up Cedar Creek was explained by Ginny Tubbs at the Gildersleeve Mine. (Picture by Jim Goss)